Georgia Code, Title 45, Chapter 17, Article 1 - General Provisions

• § 45-17-1 - Definitions
  As used in this article, the term: (1) "Attesting" and "attestation" are synonymous and mean the notarial act of witnessing or attesting a signature...
• § 45-17-1.1 - Power to Appoint Notaries Public
  The power to appoint notaries public is vested in the clerks of the superior courts and may be exercised by them at any time.
• § 45-17-2 - Qualifications of Notaries
  (a) Any individual applying for appointment to be a notary public shall: (1) Be at least 18 years old; (2) Be a United States...
• § 45-17-2.1 - Application to Be a Notary; Endorsements and Declarations
  (a) (1) Any individual desiring to be a notary public shall submit application to the clerk of superior court of the county in which...
• § 45-17-2.2 - Application Information to Be Matter of Public Record
  The information in the application for appointment and commissioning as a notary public shall be a matter of public record.
• § 45-17-2.3 - Grant or Denial of Commission or Recommission; Grounds; Unauthorized Practice of Law
  (a) After an applicant submits to the clerk of superior court of the county the application, endorsements, and declaration of applicant as required in...
• § 45-17-3 - Oath of Office
  Before entering on the duties of his office, each notary public shall take and subscribe before the clerk of the superior court the following...
• § 45-17-4 - Payment of Fees to Court Clerk and Secretary of State; Secretary of State to Keep Record of Notaries Appointed; Reappointment
  Before a certificate shall be issued to a notary public, he or she shall pay to the clerk of the superior court the sum...
• § 45-17-5 - Term of Office; Revocation; Renewal of Commission; Issuance of Certificates of Appointment; Record of Appointments; Duplicate Original of Certificate As Prerequisite to Obtaining Seal; Holding Self Out As or Exercising Powers of Notary Without Commission
  (a) Each notary public shall hold office for four years, subject to revocation at any time by the clerk of the superior court, at...
• § 45-17-6 - Seal of Office
  (a)(1) For the authentication of his notarial acts each notary public must provide a seal of office, which seal shall have for its impression...
• § 45-17-7 - Commissioning of Nonresidents As Notaries; Powers and Duties
  (a) Any person who is a resident of a state bordering on the State of Georgia and who carries on a business or profession...
• § 45-17-8 - Powers and Duties Generally
  (a) Notaries public shall have authority to: (1) Witness or attest signature or execution of deeds and other written instruments; (2) Take acknowledgments; (3)...
• § 45-17-8.1 - Signature and Date of Notarial Act
  (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, in documenting a notarial act, a notary public shall sign on the notarial certification, by...
• § 45-17-8.2 - Misrepresentation Prohibited; Required Notice; Posting of Schedule of Fees; Penalty Provision
  (a) A notary shall not make claims to have or imply he or she has powers, qualifications, rights, or privileges that the office of...
• § 45-17-9 - Where Notarial Acts May Be Exercised
  Notarial acts may be exercised in any county in the state.
• § 45-17-10 - Notaries Not to Issue Attachments or Garnishments or Approve Bonds for Such Purpose; Not to Issue Summons in Dispossessory Case; May Attest Affidavit in Attachment, Garnishment, or Dispossessory Action
  It shall not be lawful for notaries public to issue attachments or garnishments, to approve bonds for the purpose of issuing attachments or garnishments,...
• § 45-17-11 - Fees of Notaries
  (a) The fees of notaries public shall be as follows: (1) Administering an oath in any case..............................$ 2.00 (2) Each attendance on any person...
• § 45-17-12 - Authority of Notaries Who are Stockholders, Directors, Officers, or Employees of Banks or Other Corporations to Witness Execution of Written Instruments
  (a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) "Bank" or "other corporation" means a bank or other corporation organized under the laws...
• § 45-17-13 - Change of Residence, Address, or Name
  (a) Every notary public shall notify in writing the appointing clerk of superior court and provide a copy of such notice to the Georgia...
• § 45-17-14 - Notice of Loss or Theft of Notarial Seal
  Within ten days of the loss or theft of an official notarial seal, the notary public shall send to the appointing clerk of superior...
• § 45-17-15 - Revocation of Commission; Denial of Reappointment
  (a) The appointing clerk of superior court may by letter, with a copy to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, revoke the commission...
• § 45-17-16 - Revocation of Commission; Return of Papers; Destruction of Seal
  Within ten days after receiving notice from the appointing clerk of superior court that a notarial commission has been revoked, an individual shall send...
• § 45-17-17 - Resignation of Commission; Return of Papers; Destruction of Seal
  A person who wishes to resign a notarial commission shall send a signed letter of resignation to the appointing clerk of superior court, with...
• § 45-17-18 - Destruction of Seal Upon Expiration or Denial of Renewal of Commission
  A notary public whose commission expires and who does not apply for renewal of such commission or whose application for renewal of a commission...
• § 45-17-19 - Authenticity of Official Signature and Term of Office; Fees; Apostille
  (a) The authenticity of the official signature and term of office of a notary public may be evidenced by: (1) A certificate of authority...
• § 45-17-20 - Penalty; Prosecution of Violations of Article
  (a) Any person who violates subsection (d) of Code Section 45-17-8 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.(b) Any person who performs any notarial service...

Last modified: October 14, 2016